Community
Incident: Suspect Arrested for Felony Assault on Juveniles
Report Number: 23-4211
Occurred Date : October 12, 2023
Occurred Time: 4:30 PM
Location: 200 Block of Douglas Street
Suspect: Luis Morales, 21-year-old Petaluma Resident
Charges: Assault Causing Serious Bodily Injury,
Assault on a Juvenile Causing Serious Injury,
Burglary
On Saturday, September 23, 2023, at approximately 12:35 AM, Petaluma Police officers were dispatched to an assault which had occurred several hours earlier on the night of Friday September 22.
Officers contacted the juvenile victims and learned they had attended the football game at Petaluma High School and were walking down Douglas Street after the game when an unknown male suspect confronted them and threatened to assault them. The victims did not know the suspect and ran from him when he threatened them.
Several minutes later, an additional juvenile victim arrived to pick up the group of victims, when the suspect arrived in his vehicle and blocked in the victim’s vehicle. The suspect exited his vehicle and approached the driver’s door of the victim’s vehicle. The suspect attempted to open the victim’s door and a struggle ensued over the door. The suspect was able to get the door open and began violently assaulting the victim, causing serious injuries.
The suspect then climbed into the vehicle and began assaulting the juvenile back seat passenger, causing visible injuries.
After assaulting the victims, the suspect exited their vehicle and walked to his vehicle to retrieve an unknow item. As the suspect was walking back to the victim’s vehicle, they were able to flee in their vehicle and get away from the suspect. The victims went home where they reported the incident and sought medical treatment.
Since this incident occurred, the Petaluma Police Departments Community Impact Response Team (CIRT), the Gang Enforcement Team, and the CSI Unit have worked continuously to identify the suspect. The CSI Unit also processed the victim vehicle for evidence.
On Wednesday, October 11, 2023, the suspect was identified as 21-year-old Luis Morales. CIRT Officers sought a warrant for Morales’s arrest. The arrest warrant was subsequently issued for charges of Felony Assault causing Serious Bodily Injury, Felony Assault on a Juvenile causing Serious Injury, and Felony Burglary, with bail set at $75,000.
On Thursday, October 12, 2023, at approximately 4:30 PM, CIRT Officer’s with the assistance of the Petaluma Police K-9 Unit arrested Morales at his home without incident. Morales was interviewed regarding the incident and then booked at the Sonoma County Jail for the listed charges.
The Petaluma Police Department is committed to working to reduce crime and improve the quality of life throughout the City of Petaluma and encourages residents to partner with us by contacting the Police Department whenever necessary.
Media inquiries maybe directed to Sergeant Jake Gutierrez at [email protected] or phone 707-778-4532.
Suspect Arrested for Felony Assault on Juveniles
Press Release
Thursday, October 12, 2023
Issued By: Sergeant Jake Gutierrez, Petaluma PD, (707) 778-4532, jgutierrez@cityofpetaluma.org
Report Number: 23-4211
Occurred Date : October 12, 2023
Occurred Time: 4:30 PM
Location: 200 Block of Douglas Street
Suspect: Luis Morales, 21-year-old Petaluma Resident
Charges: Assault Causing Serious Bodily Injury,
Assault on a Juvenile Causing Serious Injury,
Burglary
Incident Summary
On Saturday, September 23, 2023, at approximately 12:35 AM, Petaluma Police officers were dispatched to an assault which had occurred several hours earlier on the night of Friday September 22.
Officers contacted the juvenile victims and learned they had attended the football game at Petaluma High School and were walking down Douglas Street after the game when an unknown male suspect confronted them and threatened to assault them. The victims did not know the suspect and ran from him when he threatened them.
Several minutes later, an additional juvenile victim arrived to pick up the group of victims, when the suspect arrived in his vehicle and blocked in the victim’s vehicle. The suspect exited his vehicle and approached the driver’s door of the victim’s vehicle. The suspect attempted to open the victim’s door and a struggle ensued over the door. The suspect was able to get the door open and began violently assaulting the victim, causing serious injuries.
The suspect then climbed into the vehicle and began assaulting the juvenile back seat passenger, causing visible injuries.
After assaulting the victims, the suspect exited their vehicle and walked to his vehicle to retrieve an unknow item. As the suspect was walking back to the victim’s vehicle, they were able to flee in their vehicle and get away from the suspect. The victims went home where they reported the incident and sought medical treatment.
Since this incident occurred, the Petaluma Police Departments Community Impact Response Team (CIRT), the Gang Enforcement Team, and the CSI Unit have worked continuously to identify the suspect. The CSI Unit also processed the victim vehicle for evidence.
On Wednesday, October 11, 2023, the suspect was identified as 21-year-old Luis Morales. CIRT Officers sought a warrant for Morales’s arrest. The arrest warrant was subsequently issued for charges of Felony Assault causing Serious Bodily Injury, Felony Assault on a Juvenile causing Serious Injury, and Felony Burglary, with bail set at $75,000.
On Thursday, October 12, 2023, at approximately 4:30 PM, CIRT Officer’s with the assistance of the Petaluma Police K-9 Unit arrested Morales at his home without incident. Morales was interviewed regarding the incident and then booked at the Sonoma County Jail for the listed charges.
The Petaluma Police Department is committed to working to reduce crime and improve the quality of life throughout the City of Petaluma and encourages residents to partner with us by contacting the Police Department whenever necessary.
Media inquiries maybe directed to Sergeant Jake Gutierrez at [email protected] or phone 707-778-4532.
Address/Location
Petaluma Police Department
969 Petaluma Blvd N
Petaluma, CA 94952
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 707-778-4372
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